Big bats, strong defence power the team to championship game
The Mosquito select team returned to the Orillia tournament this year with two objectives: 1) have a lot of fun and, 2) play the best baseball we could. Both objectives were achieved!
Our first game on Friday night was against Muskoka with Bloordale jumping to an early lead with 4 runs in the 1st inning. Muskoka were never able to break through the Bloordale defense adding a single run in each of the first 3 innings. Bloordale answered again in the bottom of the 3rd with 3 runs and another run in the 4th, ultimately taking the game 8 to 5.
We returned to the diamond Saturday morning to face Peterborough, anticipated to be the toughest team in our division. Leading off the first, Bloordale bats exploded with 7 runs another 4 runs in the second.
Peterborough tried to rally in 2nd and the 4th stringing together some hits but the Bloordale defense shut them down each time. The Bloordale bats struck again with 3 runs in the 4th and 5 in the 5th to ultimately win a staggering 19 to 9. This gave Bloordale the opportunity to play Orillia Saturday evening and, a chance to go straight to the championship game on Sunday.
The game started in the twighlight and Bloordale again jumped on the pitching early to mount 6-0 lead coming into the bottom of the second. Orillia came back hard with solid hitting in the third to knot the game at six after three complete.
Visions of the Mississauga tournament came flooding back where Orillia had a come from behind win against Bloordale in the Friday night game. The Bloordale bats responded to the challenge with a lead off home run in the top of the 4th. Two batters later, with one out and 19 minutes left on the game clock, the game was suspended for severe storms in the area. We had to return Sunday morning to finish the game with Bloordale adding an additional run to be ahead 8 to 6.
The Bloordale defense was so solid that we retired Orillia with 10 minutes left on the game clock, forcing a 5th inning and providing Orillia one last chance to bat. Bloordale added 4 more runs in the 5th to take a 12 to 6 lead but Orillia would not go quietly forcing the Bloordale defense to fire up one more time winning the game 12 to 7 and, going to the championship game later that day.
The championship game was played in pouring rain and the Bloordale bats were never allowed to string together the types of rallies we had seen in the qualifying games due to the solid defense from the Innisfil team.
In characteristic fashion the boys did not give up and made their opponents fight for every last out. The tournament ended with Bloordale bringing home the second place silver medals having played some of the best baseball they had all year.
While our power hitting was ever present there were numerous other aspects of our play that are worthy of mention. Almost all of our pitchers were stretched beyond pitch counts they have thrown before. Our defense in the infield and outfield was rock solid in all games. We backed up throws and hit cut off players to deny our opponents extra bases and our catchers threw out runners trying to steal 3rd base.
The entire team deserves congratulations for their play on the weekend as every player contributed to the outstanding performance.
Thanks boys, you made the coaches and parents very proud with both your play and your attitude throughout the weekend.
Submitted by head coach Mike Woolcock